Latest news with #R45
IOL News
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Eight-year-old Atarah Goodheart receives R45,000 sponsorship for Real Madrid football programme
Lynzia with her daighter Atarah Goodheart Image: Tracy-Lynn Ruiters Eight-year-old Atarah Goodheart, a Grade 2 learner at Jupiter Primary School in Ocean View, officially received a R45,000 sponsorship cheque on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, to join the Real Madrid Foundation Educational Football Programme through Generation Schools. Atarah, who has been playing football for the past two years with the Rising Stars Football Club in her hometown, was handed the cheque during a youth-focused touch rugby exhibition match at the Western Province Cricket Club. The event, which placed the spotlight on education, sport and development, featured sporting legends and celebrities including former All Blacks fly-half Carlos Spencer, ex-Springboks Juan de Jongh and Rudy Paige, and actor-comedian Siv Ngesi. The sponsorship was made possible through Kensio House and former Proteas cricketer Steven Palframan. Atarah's proud mother, Lynzia Goodheart, beaming with joy, said: 'She's been kicking ball since she could start walking. Overwhelming, unexplainable, unbelievable. I see she won't be staying in South Africa very long – her path looks very bright. It's already starting at eight.' Ricardo "Tricky Ricky" Duarttee with the ball Image: Armand Hough Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Reflecting on the moment, she added: 'In June, the owner of the club spoke about this. We were waiting. It's a one-in-a-million opportunity. The best learning and education level.' Goodheart added that she envisions her daughter heading abroad to sharpen her skills under the Real Madrid banner- her ultimate dream. 'I know my child has a very bright future ahead of her, that is why I am so thankful the sponsors could also see what I can, I know she will make everyone proud.' Atarah told the Weekend Argus that she is more than just excited to start her new journey. 'My friends are also excited and I am excited to be around some of my friends who already started at the school.' Brett Garner, head of the campus where Atarah will be based, said: 'It's good to see the role of sport in education. What a good thing — business involved in sport and education. I can't wait to welcome Atarah to our campus. It provides a pretty unique education solution.' 'She will be well looked after,' Garner added, referring to the Generation Schools group. At the handover Sekhukhune United Football Club (F.C.) also announced a ground-breaking partnership with Generation Schools to establish a fully integrated youth football academy in Gauteng. The academy will combine elite-level football training with private school education for up to 144 talented young athletes, all on fully funded scholarships. It was a day filled with sporting fun Image: Armand Hough Sekhukhune United F.C. Head of Marketing and Communication, Tebogo Mapinga, said: 'We're building a footballing legacy that starts with meaningful investment in our youth. But our ambition isn't just about producing the next generation of professional players, it's about nurturing responsible, empowered young leaders. Too often, our brightest talents are lured abroad. This academy is designed to give them world-class opportunities right here at home. This collaboration will change the lives of the youth from the Sekhukhune region along with the rest of South Africa.' Jevron Epstein, CEO of Generation Schools, added, 'This partnership challenges the status quo. It represents a major shift in how professional clubs engage with youth development. We're creating a pipeline that grows talent from the grassroots up, while ensuring that each learner receives a quality education and access to diverse opportunities both on and off the field.' Weekend Argus
The South African
2 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Piece of paradise: Inside Paul Mashatile's R28m Constantia villa
After years of speculation, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has admitted ownership of a R29 million Constantia mansion in Cape Town. The revelation was made in an official declaration of cabinet members' financial assets. In addition to a seaside villa, Mashatile also owns a family residential home in Midrand and Kelvin in Johannesburg. Paul Mashatie's luxury villa is located in Constantia Upper, a sought-after luxury neighbourhood in Cape Town. Located in a cul-de-sac in Duntaw Close, Constantia Lodge is a 4000-square-metre property with eight bedrooms, five reception rooms, and enough garage space for ten cars. It also boasts a cinema room, a bar, and an entertainment area, and views of the Constantia Valley and Kirstenbosch Gardens. According to a luxury property rental site, staying at a property costs between R15 000 and R45 000 a night. Take a look inside… According to reports, Paul Mashatile earns R3,2 million per annum as Deputy President. Mashatile also owns a R39 million mansion in Waterfall in Midrand, and another in Kelvin, Johannesburg. Bar a pension fund and an Old Mutual investment trust, he has no other assets to declare. According to luxury real estate agent Gary Phelps, Paul Mashatile's home comes with a hefty upkeep. Speaking to eNCA, he stated that this included rates and taxes up to R40 000 a month, excluding essential maintenance services. A mortgage would cost at least a quarter of a million rand a month. He added, 'You've got to earn about R1.2 million a month to qualify to buy this house.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Tshwane school utility debt crisis deepens
The utility debt crisis crippling Gauteng schools, including more than 100 schools in Tshwane, has taken a disturbing turn with more than R58-million in unpaid municipal bills resulting in widespread electricity and water disconnections. As the DA intensifies pressure on the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), DA MPL Sergio Isa Dos Santos has condemned the department's handling of the crisis as 'neglectful, evasive, and damaging to learners' constitutional right to basic education'. In a recent statement, Dos Santos, who has been vocal in highlighting the severity of the situation in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, confirmed that over 100 schools across Tshwane's southern, western, and northern districts are without essential services, due to unpaid utility bills. 'These are not isolated incidents,' said Dos Santos. 'Schools in Hammanskraal, Winterveldt, Mabopane, Ga-Rankuwa, Temba, Bronkhorstspruit, Erasmus, Ekangala, Cullinan, Lotus Gardens, Olievenhoutbosch, and Laudium are suffering under the weight of a department that refuses to take accountability. The largest outstanding amount at a single school is R177 637, with the median debt hovering around R45 000. That is more than a budget line item, it is a direct threat to the safety, dignity, and future of our learners.' Dos Santos emphasised that both primary and secondary schools have been impacted, many of which serve underprivileged communities already burdened by inadequate infrastructure. 'The GDE's insistence that no-fee schools carry the burden of utility payments is not only short-sighted, it is unjust,' he added. The disconnections have made classrooms dark and unusable, cut off access to water and sanitation, and left educators struggling to teach without the most basic resources. 'We are hearing from teachers and principals daily who are desperate. Learners are sitting in cold classrooms without lights, computer labs are idle, and sanitation conditions are deteriorating rapidly. This is no longer a financial issue. It is a humanitarian one.' In response to written DA questions in the Legislature, Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that 536 schools in Gauteng had their services disconnected since January 2024, an increase from the 525 previously reported. Yet, according to Dos Santos, the MEC failed to provide meaningful responses to follow-up questions regarding disconnection durations, services affected, or what support — if any — was provided to schools. 'This evasive approach is unacceptable,' said Dos Santos. 'We cannot allow vague annexures and non-answers to obscure the reality: the department is failing, and learners are paying the price.' The DA has called for the immediate reversal of the policy that forces no-fee schools to pay their own utility bills, and said the party will demand the establishment of a task team within the MEC's office to address billing issues, coordinate with municipalities, and prevent further disconnections. 'If the DA were in government in Gauteng,' Dos Santos stated, 'we would ensure that no school goes without water, power, or sanitation. A functional intergovernmental task team would resolve disputes before they become crises, and contingency support like generators, water tankers, and mobile toilets would be dispatched immediately. For long-term resilience, we would invest in solar energy and boreholes.' He concluded with a call to action: 'We will not stop fighting until every learner has access to a safe, dignified, and uninterrupted learning environment. The GDE cannot continue to hide behind bureaucracy while our children sit in darkness.' The GDE was asked for comment, but none had been received by time of publication. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Limpopo villagers plead with rain queen to end drought
The Modjadji royal family members perform rainmaking rituals every October to plead with their ancestors for rain. Girls dance during the annual traditional ceremony at Rain Queen Modjadji's palace to summon the rains. Picture: Gallo Images / City Press / Muntu Vilakazi Villagers in the Tzaneen area of Limpopo have turned to the newly crowned Rain Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII for rain to quench their thirst. This is after several boreholes recently drilled by the Mopani district municipality failed to produce a single drop of water for years because of the persistent drought that has plagued the region. Annual rainmaking rituals The Modjadjis, known for their supernatural rainmaking powers, have, for years, been making it rain in Limpopo during droughts. Every October, five closely related families to the Modjadji royal family assemble at the Rain Queen's Palace in Khethakone, where they perform rainmaking rituals. The family uses a magical horn from Zimbabwe to speak to their ancestors in a sacred place called Thokoleng. According to former royal family and council chair, the late Mohale Malatji, the family uses a magical horn while pouring traditional brewed beer called Mphapho onto the scared place. Downpours They plead with their ancestors for rain to fall in the region. ALSO READ: Limpopo's Rain Queen suspends initiation schools in 2025 To ensure that the ancestors have heard their pleas, the clouds suddenly gather, followed by a huge downpour that often fills dams and rivers. Then, the families would be given Mphapho beer and dance around the scared place for hours while the rain continues to pour. Boreholes and water tankers During a recent imbizo held by the Mopani district in Makhwibidung, outside Tzaneen, villagers told mayor Pule Shayi to plead with the Modjadjis to bring rain to Limpopo. Shayi said water would be supplied to the residents via boreholes and water tankers. 'Here, in Greater Tzaneen municipality, we have 663 boreholes. Of this number, we have 287 which are operational,' said Shayi. He said to address the situation they have set aside R45 million to energise all the boreholes in the district. But the worried mayor added: 'We have a challenge of vandalism as 42 of our boreholes have been vandalised and six of our transformers stolen.' NOW READ: Limpopo drought: Rain queen's family pleads for access to water
The Citizen
29-06-2025
- The Citizen
'No arrest warrant for police crime boss Fannie Masemola'
President Cyril Ramaphosa is aware that Masemola as an accounting officer, faces arrest. The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) says they are not in the process of arresting or getting an arrest warrant for National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. It is reported that Masemola could be arrested for the irregular procurement of crime intelligence buildings worth more than R120 million. If Masemola is handcuffed, he will join Dumisani Khumalo, the head of the Crime Intelligence division within the South African Police Service (Saps) and seven others as the probe into the alleged looting of the Crime Intelligence secret service account continues. IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame confirmed to The Citizen that they are not getting an arrest warrant for Masemola. 'We do not comment on matters under investigation. IDAC is not in the process of getting a warrant of arrest for the national police commissioner.' Slush fund The Crime Intelligence secret service account, also known as a slush fund, is allocated more than R600 million annually, which is used to pay police informants nationwide in exchange for information about criminal syndicates and their activities. Due to the nature of the transactions, there is little to no security of how the funds are used, City Press reported. Arrest Khumalo was apprehended on Thursday at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg after what authorities described as an 'extensive' investigation into the allegedly unlawful acquisition of two high-value properties. He was granted bail of R10 000 following his arrest in connection with a R45 million corruption scandal. The properties in question include a boutique hotel in Pretoria North, Gauteng, reportedly purchased for R22.7 million, and a commercial building in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), valued at R22.8 million. Both acquisitions are alleged to have been made without the requisite ministerial approval. ALSO READ: Top Saps crime intelligence boss arrested for R45m property deals 'Masemola arrest' According to City Press, it has learnt from four senior security cluster sources that moves to arrest Masemola are at an advanced stage It said the IDAC had already compiled the charges against Masemola, while another source stated that President Cyril Ramaphosa has also been informed about the ongoing issues within Saps and that Masemola, as an accounting officer, faces arrest. 'He [Masemola] might be arrested as early as next week if all goes well. The application for his arrest warrant is ready to be presented to the magistrates, and I don't see why it would not be granted,' the source said. It is reported that Inspector-General of Intelligence Imtiaz Fazel recommended that criminal charges be preferred against those involved in the procurement process of the buildings, including Masemola. Charges Khumalo, appointed in December 2022, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Friday alongside six co-accused. All face charges of corruption and fraud. The co-accused are Crime Intelligence chief financial officer (CFO) Philani Lushaba, Gauteng head of Crime Intelligence Josias Lekalakala, head of the Crime Intelligence's analysis centre Nozipho Madondo, technical support system manager in Crime Intelligence Dineo Mokwele, Sydney Gabela from the Saps' technology service department, and Phindile Ncube, who heads the Saps vetting office. Corruption In March, The Citizen reported that the recent wave of arrests within Gauteng's police force highlighted the deep level of corruption within the Saps In Gauteng alone, several police officers were handcuffed for various offences, including hijacking, and involvement in criminal syndicates, while other arrests included Gauteng traffic police. NOW READ: Crime Intelligence CFO, co-accused granted bail in burglary cover-up
